Ukraine: Costa will not be the one (at least for now) to negotiate with Russia for the EU

The Chancellor’s clarification came the day after the discussion on Ukraine, during which there was talk of how the EU should be ready for possible negotiations with Moscow. In the background, the recent revelation of reopening of diplomatic contacts between the EU and Russia on the recommendation of Costa himself. A move forward criticized by some leaders, especially the German Chancellor and the French President Emmanuel Macron, who according to press rumors have contested that the E3 countries, i.e. France, Germany and the United Kingdom, are the suitable format to lead the negotiations.

E3 “was actually brought together at the explicit request of Ukraine. There is an internal logic,” Merz explained. The fact that the three cooperate closely “is due to the fact that we are the main players in Europe, we make an important military contribution in support of Ukraine. We are in first place”. Kiev asked these three countries to play a coordinating role, “and we do so”, continued the German leader, underlining that “of course” Italy and Poland, with whom the E3 members will meet on Wednesday in Berlin in the E5 format, will also be involved, “and other EU member states. We do not have to decide who will speak on behalf of the EU. We will decide that when the time comes”, he concluded.

During the press conference at the end of the European Council, Costa himself declared that he did not see “any contradiction or competition between the different actors and formats. They are complementary“. The Coalition of the Willing in Support of Ukraine and its leaders, which often coincide with the E3 format, will “certainly” have a role regarding the security guarantees to be offered to Kiev, he underlined. “But as for the interests of the European Union, they will have to be defended by the EU institutions in accordance with the Treaties.”

During the discussion between the heads of state and government there was an opportunity to clarify some “misunderstandings”, explained the president of the European Council, who however was supported by a series of leaders, both as a “natural candidate” for the role of EU representative and for having reopened contacts with Moscow. “What I am doing through my office is establishing a diplomatic channel because we cannot depend on others alone to interpret Russian messagesand we must be able to transmit ours directly to Russia,” he clarified.

Other key points, reiterated by Costa in favor of the press: “Only Ukraine can negotiate on behalf of Ukraine” and the EU “does not intend to be a mediator”because it is on Kiev’s side. Finally, it is currently “clear” that there are “no credible signals from Russia” that it wants to engage in serious negotiations. As regards the choice of the future sole spokesperson of the EU, net of the thesis that Costa is already in the role by virtue of his responsibilities established by the Treaties, the words uttered by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten upon entering the second day of the summit are still valid: “it is still too early to establish who that European negotiator could be”. (by Otto Lanzavecchia)